“The Simpsons” Renewed for 23rd Season

Woo Hoo!

Fox announced Thursday it renewed its Emmy-winning animated series "The Simpsons" for a 23rd season, or put another way, through episode 515. Ay Carumba.

"Like many 22-year-olds, ‘The Simpsons’ is extremely happy remaining at home, on Fox, and hopes it doesn't have to go out into the real world for many years to come," said Al Jean, the show's exec producer, E! News reported.

Springfield’s finest trails just two other prime-time programs in episode counts, according to New York mag’s Vulture blog. “Lassie” was on the air through 588 episodes, while “Gunsmoke” survived for 635, Vulture reported.

While loyal “Simpson” viewers debate the merits and weaknesses of particular seasons, Homer and co.’s reach beyond the airwaves keeps expanding.

In June, Entertainment Weekly gave Homer Simpson the edge over Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the title of greatest character in pop culture.

The Vatican’s official newspaper also claimed Homer last month, asserting that the oafish family patriarch was a Catholic because of an episode where Homer considered converting.

Jean told Vulture that the show, which Matt Groening created before the age of the PC, has “grown up with the Internet.”

No doubt. A YouTube clip of a recent intro by graffiti artist Bansky boasts more than 5 million views. In the segment satirizing Fox, sweatshop workers are shown slaving over cartoon cells and Simpsons merchandise in an underground Asian lair.

The show also made headlines recently for booking Katy Perry as a guest star to appear in a live action segment after the artist’s Sesame Street vid was deemed too provocative.

Expect Halle Berry, Jon Hamm and Martha Stewart to also make guest spot next season, according to E!

Selected Reading: E!, Vulture, HitFix
 

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